Olubadan-designate Says Ibadan Shielded Yoruba Monarchs From Emir Title

Olubadan-designate, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has said that but for Ibadan’s influence in history, traditional rulers in Yorubaland would have been known as Emirs instead of Obas.

He made the remark on Thursday while receiving the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, and his wife at his Bodija residence in Ibadan.

Ladoja said Ibadan played a decisive role in shaping the identity of Yoruba traditional leadership, stressing that the focus should now shift to modernising what remains of the old Ibadan Empire.

“The position of Ibadan on this matter is well documented in history. Without the influence of Ibadan, the traditional title of the entire Obas in Yorubaland would have been ‘Emir’,” he said.

He added that all traditional rulers, including Baales and Mogajis, must actively take part in Ibadan’s ongoing modernisation drive. On security, he declared that diaspora Baales and Mogajis would no longer be tolerated, warning that they would henceforth be held responsible for breaches in their domains.

“The era of diaspora Mogajis and Baales is over in Ibadan. If there is a breach of security in any community, the Baales and Mogajis will be held accountable,” he said.

On the long-running supremacy debate between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo, Ladoja said the rivalry was largely fueled by their supporters rather than the monarchs themselves.

According to him, “Alaafin cannot go to Ile-Ife and rule over the people there, and vice versa. They have different territories where they operate. The kind of history their supporters are referring to is like Britain colonising America in the past. Today, if America sneezes, Britain catches a cold.”

He also called for greater unity among Yoruba monarchs and sought the support of Oba Alao in fostering stronger cooperation.